Sericomyia silentis

Common Name: Bog Hoverfly

Sericomyia silentis, more commonly known as the Bog Hoverfly or the Yellow-barred Peat Hoverfly, is a large and conspicuous hoverfly typically found in boggy habitats, especially in the north and west of Britain; it seems to be very mobile though, and in some years will turn up in woodland rides and meadows far from obvious breeding sites, even in counties such as Warwickshire where peatlands are few.

Comparison is only really required with S. lappona, which averages smaller, has whitish abdominal markings, a reddish scutellum (but beware the occasional silentis with a reddish scutellum) and orange legs.

Adults fly from May to November, peaking in July, a little later than S. lappona. They visit flowers such as brambles, thistles, knapweeds and Devil's-bit Scabious andy can make a high-pitched buzz when resting. The rat-tailed larvae develop in peaty pools and ditches.

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